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Publisher's Summary

One evening in 1951, an itinerant storyteller arrives unannounced and mysterious at a house in the Irish countryside. By the November fireside he begins to tell the story of this extraordinary land. One of his listeners, a nine-year-old boy, grows so entranced by the storytelling that, when the old man leaves, he devotes his life to finding him again. It is a search that uncovers both passions and mysteries, in his own life as well as the old man's, and their solving becomes the thrilling climax to this tale. But the life of this boy is more than just his story: it is also the telling of a people, the narrative of a nation, the history of Ireland in all its drama, intrigue and heroism.

Ireland travels through the centuries by way of story after story, from the savage grip of the Ice Age to the green and troubled land of tourist brochures and news headlines. Along the way, we meet foolish kings and innocent monks, god-heroes and great works of art, shrewd Norman raiders and envoys from Rome, leaders, poets, and lovers. Each illuminates the magic of Ireland, the power of England, and the eternal connection to the land.

What the Critics Say

"If you're a lover of Irish myths and history, there are rich pickings here." (Guardian)
"The writing is smooth, seductive, and intentionally didactic in its combination of history, myth, and blarney." (Sunday Telegraph)

It was better than expected, as I've recently listened to some books that didn't work well in the audio version, for example, Life of Pi, which I found too rambling to follow.

This story is about a storyteller and is beautifully told and narrated by the author. Contrary to the impression the book cover gives, it's a simple and very human tale that gently guides you through thousands of years of Irish history.